Select Poetry.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 339, 8 January 1866, Page 1

Select Poetry.

PALXEESTOS. Born : Octoeke 20, 1781. Died; October 18,1833. 5gE is down, and for ever! Tire good flg’at is ended. la deep-dinted harness our champion has died. But tears should be few in a sunset so splendid, And Grief hush her wail at the bidding of Bride. He falls, hut unvanquished. He falls in his glory, A nobie old King on the last of als fields: And wit h death-song we come, like i ho Northmen of story. And haughtily bear him away on our shields. Nor yet are we mourners Let proud words be spoken. By those who stand pale, on lue marge of his grave, Aa we lay in -the rest never more to be broken. The noble, the gentle, the wise, and the hr ive. His courage undaunted, his purpose unaltered, His long patient labor, his exquisite skill. The tones of command from a tongue that ne'er faltered When bidding the Nations to list to our will. Let these be remembered; but higher and better The tribute that tells how he dealt with his trust. In curbing the tyrant, in breaking the fetter, Lay the pleasure of him we commit to the dust. But his heart was his England’s, his idol her honor, Her friend was his friend, and his foe was her foe. Were her mandate despised, or a scowl cast upon her. How stern his rebuke, or how vengeml his blow! Her armies were sad, and her banners were tattered. And lethargy wrought on her strength like a spell. He came to the front, the enchantment was scattered— [ The rest let a reconciled enemy tell As true to our welfare, he did his own mission When Progress approached hi ,n with Wisdom for guide; He cleared her a path, and with equal derision Bade quack and fanatic alike stand aside. The choice of his country, low faction despising. He inarched as a leader all true men could claim They came to then- fellows, and held it sufficing To give as a creed, the great Minister’s name. 80, Heir to traditions of Him, long departed. “ Who call the New World up to balance the Old.” We lay thee in earth, —gallant-natured, true-hearted 1 Break, herald, thy wand, for his honors are told. No, let Pride say her story and cease, for Affection Stands near with a wealth of wild tears in her eyes, And claims to be heard with more soft recollection Of one who was ever as kindly as wise. We trusted his wisdom, but love drew us nearer Than homage we owed to Lis states manly art, Por never was statesman to Englishmen dearer Than he who had faith in the great English heart. The frank merry laugh, and the honest eye filling With mirth, and the jests that so rapidly fell, Told out the State-secret that made us right willing To fellow his leading —he laved vi ail well. Oor bravo English Chief I —lav him down for the sleeping That nought may disturb v.u the vyir'ioafc.of .doom v Honor claims the proud vigil—hut Love will come weeping, And hang many garlands on Pai.iieestox’s tomb. —Shirley Brooks, in Punch.